Andrew Watman’s Post

In addition to reviewing spirits, I also review RTD cocktails for Wine Enthusiast. The last batch included a line-up of RTD espresso martinis - and the instructions were surprisingly confusing (hello, how do you "squeeze" a canned cocktail?). Here's my WE story unraveling why pre-mixed espresso martinis are different from other RTD drink styles. https://lnkd.in/gHDa9g28

ESPRESSO MARTINI The honour of this deliciously smooth cocktail invention goes to British bartending guru Dick Bradsell. He is credited with revolutionizing the cocktail scene in London in the 1980s, through his work at bars such as The Player, 6 Degrees and Match. Bradsell is also credited with the invention of modern classics like the Bramble. The story goes that Bradsell created the drink – originally called The Vodka Espresso then the Pharmaceutical Stimulant – at Fred’s Club in the late 1980s. A young model, who Bradsell claims is now world famous, sidled up to the bar and asked for something to “wake me up and f**k me up”. His solution was a combination of vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur and sugar, shaken into a frothy mix of bittersweet addiction. The Espresso Martini is now a world wide classic. Many more have claimed to have invented it but we believe it has to have been Dick Bradsell. Why do we garnish an Espresso Martini with 3 coffee beans? Have you ever wondered why there are always three coffee beans garnishing your espresso martini? This is the cocktail’s trademark and are said to represent health, wealth and happiness and come from the traditional serving of Sambuca in Italy, where the beans are called con la mosca, which means “with the fly”. You can chew and eat the coffee beans in both cocktails but it is a personal choice! How to make an Espresso Martini 50ml Vodka 25ml Coffee liqueur 25ml Fresh Espresso Sugar syrup to sweeten to taste 3 coffee beans to garnish

VOTING DAY FIVE - THE ESPRESSO MARTINI I'm sharing daily cocktail tips to boost my votes for this year's Bar Boss competition. If you like this tip, please vote for me (up to once per day!!!) by using the QR code on the Espresso Martini, or the link at the bottom of this post. THE ESPRESSO MARTINI is part of a niche category of cocktails that contain caffeine in addition to alcohol, making it a nifty strategic choice for guests who want to enjoy a nice buzz, but don't want risk feeling too sleepy—whether at the bar, the theatre, or a chill afterparty at a friend's apartment. The main trap to avoid with the Espresso Martini is overdilution. Fresh espresso is hot, meaning it's going to melt the ice several times faster while shaking. Rather than make the espresso to order, it's generally better to chill espresso in the freezer for at least 20 minutes (or in a refrigerator for at least one hour) before using it in this cocktail. What makes or breaks this drink is the quality of the espresso. That's where most of the flavor comes from, so avoid the cheap stuff and grind the beans fresh if at all possible. How you sweeten the drink matters, too; I use hazelnut liqueur for a subtle twist. Be careful not to buy into the myth that caffeine "sobers you up". Replacing your beers with espresso martinis doesn't make it safe to drive! The only thing that can wear down the effects of alcohol is time. Here's my favorite Espresso Martini recipe, along with a fun variation. Enjoy responsibly! 1. Add 2 oz. Tito's Vodka into a shaker 2. Add 1 oz. chilled Espresso 3. Add 0.5 oz. Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur 4. Add 0.25 oz. Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur 5. Add a scoop of ice and shake vigorously 6. Strain into an empty Coupe glass 7. Garnish with three Espresso Beans VARIATION: ITALIAN ESPRESSO MARTINI - Sub Vodka with 1.5 oz. Amaro Averna If you liked this tip, vote for me in the Bar Boss competition with the QR code on this post, or at the link in the comments. Image Credit: Sarah Stierch on Flickr

11 Drinks Trends to Look Out for in 2025 Walking into any bar or restaurant in 2024, it would be a pretty safe bet that the tables were covered in various spritzes (Aperol, Hugo, Cynar) and Martinis (Espresso, Dirty, or even Sour Cream & Onion). Yes, not unlike 2023, the spritz and the Martini ruled cocktail menus this year. But 2024 also marked the rise of several other trends. There was a significant increase in creative no- and low-ABV menus, an obsession with clarified and carbonated cocktails, and, unfortunately, a massive price hike on bottle and by-the-glass wine lists. While it’s unlikely that Martini mania or the beloved spritz will go away anytime soon, we suspect there are some new things in store for 2025. We predict some trends that have been incubating for the past few months will take off in dramatic fashion — is it possible for Guinness to get even bigger? — new fads will emerge, and economic factors will continue to shape how we go out to drink, for better or worse. Here are 11 drinks trends to look out for in 2025: https://lnkd.in/erRsmCHY

Tribini Espresso Martinis deliver the deep, dark roasted flavors that coffee lovers desire. Link below to learn more and see what our panel had to say about these RTD Espresso Martini cocktails. #rtd #rtdcocktails #readytodrink #vodka #espresso #cocktails #spiritsindustry #alcoholindustry

✨ Espresso Martinis Are Back in the Spotlight! ✨ In the Portland market, we’ve noticed a growing trend making its way back into weddings and special events: the classic espresso martini. And honestly, we’re not surprised—it’s the perfect blend of sophistication, energy, and indulgence. At Intentional Espresso, we’ve been experimenting with a new recipe that’s sure to delight your guests. Our take on the espresso martini combines: • 1 oz of freshly brewed espresso • 1 oz of Kahlúa • 2 oz of vodka • ½ oz of honey simple syrup • 1 oz of cream The result? A cocktail that’s smooth, rich, and just the right amount of sweet—perfect for any celebration. Whether it’s a wedding toast, a cocktail hour centerpiece, or a late-night pick-me-up at your event, this drink is a crowd-pleaser. If you’re planning an event and want to elevate your beverage game with custom coffee-inspired cocktails, let’s chat! We love bringing the best of coffee and creativity to every occasion. What do you think about espresso martinis making a comeback? Are they a must-have or a fun addition for your next event? Let us know in the comments! 🥂☕ #IntentionalEspresso #EspressoMartini #EventTrends #PortlandEvents #WeddingSeason2025

Why Do Bartenders Dread Making Espresso Martinis? Why Do Bartenders Dread Making Espresso Martinis? How Much Time Does an Espresso Martini Take to Make? The Espresso Martini: Is It Worth the Mess? How Can Making Espresso Martinis be Difficult for Bartenders? What Makes Espresso Martinis So Expensive? Espresso martinis are a beloved cocktail among bar patrons, yet many bartenders often find them troublesome to mix. Here are a few reasons why. An espresso martini is a refreshing cocktail combining espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur - often shaken before being garnished with one or more coffee beans for decoration. To read the rest of this article, please click on the link below: https://lnkd.in/ewAxc3zt

💚 How to elevate your cocktails with Pagotini sorbet ice Our Mojito Sorbet is a perfect example of our innovative approach to flavours: imagine the refreshing taste of a mojito captured in a scoop of sorbet! We have it! It’s perfect on its own, but a step further is to make it a delightful addition to your favourite cocktails. 🍹 Hence the introduction of "Parad*ice," a unique concept that adds a twist to cocktails and mocktails by adding sorbet ice. In collaboration with Bacardi-Martini's Tails, we've crafted exquisite recipes, backed by top ambassadors. Each recipe promises to elevate your aperitifs with minimal effort and cost. Why "Parad*ice" is a game-changer for the horeca professional: 💡Visual Appeal: A scoop of sorbet adds a new, visual dimension to cocktails. 💡Flavour Impact: The sorbet slowly releases its flavour, adding lasting freshness. 💡Cost-Effective: Customers are willing to pay a bit more for this unique experience. Discover how Pagotini can transform your menu 🌟 https://lnkd.in/dqdDsA_g

Today we go behind the scenes with BAR BUOY Ltd. ✨ What are you making in the video? “Our Espresso Martini cocktail.” Tell us a little about what you are doing in the video. “In the video, you can see Tim pouring it out into a glass after it’s been shaken. Whilst our cocktails are ready-made, we do recommend that the bottled cocktails are still shaken in a shaker so that you create the perfect serve. This is particularly important for the Espresso Martini so that you achieve a lovely foam on top.” Why are you keen to share this part of the process? “A lot of people assume that an Espresso Martini in a bottle won’t look as it should in a glass, and won’t achieve a foamy top. However because we use real coffee (we have partners Owens Coffee - an organic and fair-trade coffee company based in Devon) the oils in the coffee are present so when shaken over ice, they will react and that’s what creates the crema.” Where do you draw your inspiration from? “From day one we’ve been really clear that we want our products to be quality. Living in Devon we are surrounded by amazing food and drink producers so what better place to start sourcing our ingredients than on our doorstep? We joined an amazing membership organisation called Food & Drink Devon and to date have collaborated with 6 other members in order to use their ingredients in our products. This also means that our supply chain is incredibly short which in turn makes it more sustainable as well as allows us more control.” What do you love about the Espresso Martini? “When we hold tasting nights at Bar Buoy HQ I love watching the reaction of customers when they see how we can achieve the perfect serve with our bottled Espresso Martini. Then they taste it and are blown away by the flavour.” Have you experienced any challenges with the Espresso Martini and how have you overcome these challenges? “I think the challenge is ensuring that our customers know that shaking our Espresso Martini is a key process. We call our bottled cocktails ‘ready-to-serve’ as we recommend they are ’served’ as they should be. We call our new canned range ‘ready-to-drink’ as they’ve been designed so that all you need to chill and sip.” How do you feel about the finished product? “Proud of our products! And we also just found out that our Espresso Martini won a Gold award in the Taste of the West Awards so it’s not just us!” I love everything about BAR BUOY Ltd. - they're local, sustainable, high-quality cocktails mixed to perfection and they taste absolutely delicious! What is not to love? My favourites are the Bramble and the Passion Fruit Martini. Do you have a favourite? If you would like some of Bar Buoy’s multi-award-winning cocktails in your Bespoke + Local gift box, just let me know during our consultation.✨ #BespokeAndLocal #MadeInDevon #BehindTheScenes #MeetTheArtisans

Espresso martini: the liquid version of a power nap. ☕🍸  🍸 Espresso Martini Glass: Chilled martini glass 🍹 Ingredients: Vodka: 45 ml Coffee Liqueur: 30 ml Freshly Brewed Espresso: 30 ml, cooled Simple Syrup: 10 ml (optional, adjust depending on the sweetness of your coffee liqueur and personal preference) 🔧 Methods: Mix: In a shaker, combine 45 ml vodka, 30 ml coffee liqueur, 30 ml freshly brewed espresso, and 5 ml simple syrup (if using). Shake: Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously. This not only chills the drink but also ensures a nice frothy top from the espresso. Strain: Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass to keep out the ice and enhance the frothy top. Garnish: Garnish with three coffee beans in the centre of the froth for traditional presentation and added aroma. Suggested Australian Spirits For Vodka - Kangaroo Island Spirits Pure Vodka For Coffee Liqueur - Unico Zelo Unico Cafe #yourbaryourway #CoffeeCocktails #AfterDinnerDrink #elixelite